The thing about CrossFit that I really enjoy is that it’s possible to feel 100% grounded during the workout. \u00a0By that I mean totally focused on what is going on. \u00a0I typically start a WOD by thinking “globally” — what the movements are, the sequence, how long the workout lasts, how I’m going to manage it, and so on. \u00a0And for a few moments into the workout I might have that global focus.<\/p>\n
But after a minute or so I start to get absorbed in the actual performance. \u00a0And by that I mean I go from thinking “OK another 200 meters” to “OK that’s a 100 meters” to “OK just get one foot in front of the other” to “don’t stop” and finally a state of non-verbalization. \u00a0At that point it takes all the willpower I have to make one more motion. \u00a0Time seems to stand still. \u00a0Of course time isn’t standing still, it’s my perception of what’s going on that is shifted.<\/p>\n
The other day we did a WOD using kettlebells — goblet squat, swings, lunges followed by a 200 meter run. \u00a0It was hot outside, about 95 degrees or so. \u00a0We had three rounds of 5 minutes with a 1 minute rest between rounds. \u00a0The sets were 4 squats, 5 swings, 6 lunges and then run. \u00a0I choose 35#. \u00a0The idea was to get as many sets completed in the 15 minutes of activity.<\/p>\n
I don’t know what the Rx was, I didn’t look. I didn’t have any particular end goal for sets completed. \u00a0I just figured I’d give it my best shot.<\/p>\n
At the end of the second round (10 minutes into the workout) I was on fire. \u00a0 I remember leaning up against a set of truck tires, and pulling back because the tires were too hot. \u00a0I stood a moment in the shade, but that didn’t help either. \u00a0I tried to get “small” by leaning forward a bit and resting on my thighs. \u00a0My world was reduced down to just about nothing. But not “nothing” really — more like an elevated state of awareness. \u00a0Let’s call it “focus.”<\/p>\n
Many years ago (decades actually) I had a job doing hot-tar roofing. \u00a0The thing about hot tar is that it has to be about 475 degrees F to be able to apply it. \u00a0The application is done by mopping it on, so it has to flow easily. \u00a0Anyway one day I was in charge of the kettle, which is a huge square\u00a0cauldron\u00a0that we towed behind a stake truck. \u00a0The heat came from huge roaring propane burners. \u00a0Now the trick to hot tar is to keep it about 475 F, but less then 500 F. \u00a0Because if you let it get over 500 it\u00a0catches\u00a0on fire. \u00a0And that fire cannot be put out easily. It’s very dangerous.<\/p>\n
Well I wanted to keep the hot tar hot, and it got to about 525 F and caught fire. \u00a0I turned the flame off, closed the lid to cut off the\u00a0oxygen, but that didn’t help: every time I opened the lid to check on it the flames would shoot out. \u00a0The whole crew came down to watch. \u00a0And I’m thinking “Wow! This thing is out of control! It’s going to blow!” which it didn’t, but it was, for a moment, really scary. \u00a0One thing I can tell you: I was really, really focused.<\/p>\n
That’s the feeling I had after the second round of that WOD. \u00a0I felt like I was that hot tar kettle, my body on fire getting ready to explode. \u00a0I was thinking what’s the next level from here? \u00a0Do I just faint? \u00a0No, I just keep going. \u00a0It’s an odd feeling, like I’m out of the body and totally in it at the same time. \u00a0Is that some kind of elevated state? \u00a0I don’t know.<\/p>\n
The third round was slow. \u00a0By the time I got to the run I was shuffling along. \u00a0Eventually I got up to slow jog, and then finally for the last few meters something that someone might call “running.”<\/p>\n
Total number of rounds: 6 1\/2. \u00a0I didn’t get a final set of lunges or a run. \u00a0I was covered in sweat. \u00a0I wouldn’t say it was brutal, but it was really, really tough. \u00a06 1\/2 doesn’t seem like much. \u00a0But it was, on that day, all I had in me to do.<\/p>\n
Cheers.<\/p>\n